True to it’s namesake, this iconic brand hearkens the days of prohibition-era rum running when Bill McCoy refused to compromise on quality. Only 3,000 bottles of this micro-batch have been released.

Pedigree

The Real McCoy 10 Year Old Limited Edition Virgin Oak Rum is a robust expression from Barbados created by blending rums aged in both Bourbon and Virgin American Oak casks.

Crafted at Foursquare Distillery, this expression relies on a higher percentage of copper pot still distillate for a richer flavor profile. Two batches are aged separately. The first spends twelve years in used Bourbon barrels. The second, ages ten years in virgin American oak casks.

Carefully blended to balance flavors, the result is bottled at a hardy 92 proof, an example of the authentic style of fine aged rum that made Barbados famous the world over.

Tasting notes

Aromas of ripe banana, toasted butter pecan, big oak and vanilla are accented by a funky fruit. On the palate, brown butter over charred oak brings vanilla, toasted almond and tart dried fruit with a suggestion of burnt sugar. The finish offers long lasting notes of dark buttered toast and plenty of oak.

Quality and Value

The Real McCoy 10 Year Old Limited Edition Virgin Oak Rum appeals to connoisseurs, while remaining accessible to all spirit enthusiasts who appreciate small-batch quality and good value.

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Known for their award-winning line of artisan rums, Kōloa recently announced a new limited edition expression: Kauai Reserve Three-Year Aged Hawaiian Rum.

Artfully crafted in single-batches at its Kalaheo distillery, Kauai Reserve is aged for a minimum of three years in select American white oak barrels and contains no added sugar, color or other ingredients. Only twelve barrels were bottled in this first limited edition release.

“We are thrilled to be launching our newest rum at the dawn of the new year,” said Koloa Rum Company President and CEO Bob Gunter. “Kauai Reserve is remarkably smooth with rich, complex flavors that linger long after the last sip.”

Limited Edition

Each of Kauai Reserve’s 12-barrel batches yields approximately 3,500 bottles that are carefully filled, inspected and numbered to meet the exacting standards for quality and taste that Koloa Rum Company is renown. Continue reading

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Diplomático Distillery Collection rums, labeled “No. 1 Batch Kettle Rum” and “No. 2 Barbet Rum” each contain a unique bottle number, batch number, and the date of the distillation marked on the label, as well as an illustration of the still.

A pair of rums that spotlight the distinctive production process used by the popular Diplomático Rum from Venezuela — the Diplomático Distillery Collection — have been released in the United States.

The distillery in La Miel, Venezuela has a long history of producing fine rums, using traditional copper pot stills, as well as modern column stills. One additional asset that sets them apart from others is their batch kettle still, a hybrid configuration best known for producing whiskies.

The new Diplomático Distillery Collection highlights these distillation systems with two new limited edition expressions: a Single Batch Kettle rum and a Single Barbet Column rum.

This new pair allows consumers to better understand and distinguish the various production methods and unique personalities of the stills used to make many of Diplomático’s fine blended expressions. Continue reading

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An award-winning boutique brand produced in Denmark, Skotlander Rum will age some of its distillate in bunkers built during World War II.

But why? Isn’t the best location for aging rum the tropics? Anders Skotlander, owner of Skotlander Rum explains: “The cold climate in Denmark offers us something different. Previously we have tried aging rum at sea on an old schooner — the movement of the sea and the difference between summer and winter gave us a really interesting rum. Now let’s try the complete opposite — this rum is being kept still and the temperature in the bunker is 10˚c night and day, all year round. I think we’ll spend much longer ripening the rum, maybe twice as long as the tropics, but in turn, the taste may be much more refined.”

This limited edition Skotlander Rum begins with a slow four-week fermentation in the cold Nordic climate to develop complex flavor components. The distillation in pot stills ensures the majority of these flavor compounds remain. Continue reading

Having been involved in owning bars, restaurants and nightclubs in Cirencester — a market town northwest of London — for many years, Richard was looking for an alternative to rums he was serving from large brands that had strayed from their origins. Continue reading

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From one of the oldest rum producers in the world comes one of the finest rare aged rums ever bottled, Mount Gay 1703 Master Select.

Derived from double copper pot and single column still distillates, this spirit is a blend of 10 to 30 year old aged rums. 1703 Master Select is a deliciously complex and concentrated nectar reflecting the life-long mastery of blender Allen Smith. Continue reading

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From Panama, the Abuelo XV Finish Collection features a trio of luxurious double barreled aged spirits aimed at the serious rum enthusiast. These limited edition 15 year old expressions are rested in casks of Tawny Port, Oloroso Sherry and Napoleon Cognac respectively.

The Abuelo XV Finish Collection

Each delivers a well aged, complex Central American spirit created from molasses, enhanced with a delightful bouquet of European wines during the second stage of maturity.

This trans-Atlantic connection serves as an homage to the masters — an international bridge between cultures, a melding of classic flavors and gastronomic legends.

Tasting Notes

Abuelo Añejo XV Años Tawny Port Cask Finish

Aromas of cocoa and tart berry over ripe dark fruit, butter cookie and mild wood. On the palate, sweet dark fruit leads to bitter chocolate Bon Bon and raspberry with bread pudding, fading into earthy wood and hints of cocoa in the long finish.

Abuelo Añejo XV Años Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish

Aromas of cacao and stone fruit with suggestion of herbaceous cane, vanilla custard and a hint of pear. On the palate, rich dark fruit builds to vanilla custard over musty wood and cola before aromatic eucalyptus and butter croissant precede a hint of cane and molasses in the long finish.

Abuelo Añejo XV Años Napoleon Cognac Cask Finish

Aromas of vanilla and musty bourbon oak lead to sweet fruit and pound cake with hints of green and black peppercorns over bitter wood. On the palate, a sweet caramel entry leads to bold cognac wood in the complex mid-palate, with a balance between sweet fruit and dry vanilla. The finish is wonderfully viscous, fading into echoes of honey, green banana and flowers.

These 750ml bottles of the Abuelo XV Finish Collection, at 40% abv, retail for about $75 in the United States.

The Abuelo brand offers a range of award-winning rums from Panama including the Añejo, 7 Años, 12 Años and the luxury expression Centuria.

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From Destilerías Unidas in Venezuela, the Diplomatico brand has revealed Diplomatico 2002 Single Vintage, a new limited edition luxury rum expression.

Distilled in vintage copper pot stills in 2002, the rum was then aged in bourbon and single malt whisky casks for twelve years.

2002 Single Vintage Selection

Diplomatico 2002 Single Vintage is a limited edition aged rum from Venezuela aged in oak for twelve years before a second aging in sherry barrels.

Crafted from a selection of the most exceptional rum reserves in their vast complex of aging warehouses, the components of this Diplomático 2002 Single Vintage are hand-selected for exceptional quality.

After the initial aging process, these select spirits are transferred to Oloroso Spanish Sherry casks for another year to impart an enhanced finish.

After the second aging process, the Maestros Roneros carefully blend the rums in order to obtain the structure, body, personality, flavors and aromas that best express the vintage year.

The result is an artful and delicate balance of rare aged rums, destined for this special limited edition 2002 Single Vintage, created for the most serious rum enthusiasts.

Tasting Notes

Aromas of vanilla and almond lead to well balanced caramel and dark dried fruit before aromatic oak, cigar box, musk and raisin. On the palate, initial flavors of caramel, vanilla and oak are enhanced by complex dark fruit, spices and hints of tobacco. The finish dries out with very long lasting echoes of oak, raisin and toffee.

Diplomatico Rums

The Diplomatico brand includes many fine traditional expressions such as Rum Blanco, Reserva and Exclusiva. Among the prestige products are the single vintages and their ultimate luxury rum, Diplomatico Ambassador.

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The iconic Mount Gay brand of rum from Barbados recently announced a special limited edition aged rum package: Origin Series – The Copper Stills.

From Barbados, the new Mount Gay Origin Series: Volume Two, The Copper Stills Collection features two similarly aged rums created in two different stills.

The Copper Stills: Pot vs. Column

Mount Gay releases their limited edition Origin Series Volume Two: The Copper Stills, featuring a selection of two aged rum expressions from Barbados.

The first was produced in a copper pot still, the traditional method of creating rum that dates back to the brand’s origins in Barbados in 1703. The second expression was created in a modern copper column still, a more efficient method for producing rum from molasses.

Each of the two rums included in this special package exhibits a flavor profile unique to it’s method of distillation. Mount Gay rums achieve their complexity and depth of flavor by combining these types of marques in their popular blends.

Tasting Notes

The Copper Pot Rum leads with aromas of sweet cane, vanilla and funky fruit. On the palate notes of dark chocolate, toasted coconut and almonds lead to butter and oak in the finish.

The Origin Series Collections

“We created the Origin Series collections so that we could give rum drinkers the unique opportunity to experience rum by tasting the pure essence of the distinct distillation methods. We want to share a deeper understanding of how each part of the process can change the taste of rum entirely,” said Mount Gay Master Blender Allen Smith. “Copper Pot is a rich, intricate interpretation of signature Mount Gay aromatics, robust in flavor and body. Copper Column is a delicate and mellow expression of our classic profile.”

Like Volume One of the Origin Series – which featured Virgin Cask and Charred Cask varieties – Volume Two is presented in bespoke packaging of two 375ml bottles, along with a detailed booklet that gives an overview of the creation of the two rums.

The Origin Series Copper Stills collection, at 43% abv, will be available beginning October 2016 at premium liquor and spirits stores across the United States for a suggested retail price of $95.

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Cedar Ridge Distillery has announced their limited edition Cedar Ridge Port Cask five year old aged rum, with a scheduled released in October, 2016. The expression emphasizes their dual expertise as the only integrated distillery and winery in Iowa.

Cedar Ridge has announced their limited edition Port Cask five year old aged rum produced at their winery and distillery near Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Cedar Ridge Winery produces wines from its own estate-grown grapes. A variety of boutique wines are available from the winery, including their American Port, White Port and the Iowa Varietal Series.

Cedar Ridge Distillery crafts its award-winning spirits in small batches in its European-engineered 80-gallon artisanal pot still. In addition to rum, some of their products include Bourbon, Single Malt, Rye, Wheat Whiskey and Un-aged Whiskey. Specialty spirits include Pear Brandy, Apple Brandy, Grape Brandy and Howdy’s Apple Pie liqueur.

Cedar Ridge Port Cask Limited Edition

The new Cedar Ridge Port Cask five year old aged rum is fermented and double-distilled. The spirit is then placed in single-use ex-Bourbon casks to mature. After the five-year mark, the rum is transferred to freshly emptied Cedar Ridge Port barrels for a unique finish.

Four casks of the rum, after accounting for the angel’s share, filled three Port barrels. The first limited edition batch is expected to yield approximately 1,000 standard 750ml bottles at 43% abv (86 proof).

Tasting Notes

The nose leads with aromatic wood over vanilla, honey and a berry note. On the palate, a dry entry features vanilla over butterscotch before big warmth at mid-palate. The wine notes emerge to compliment the wood before brown butter and floral accents give way to a warm, dry finish.

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The Plantation rum team based in Cognac, France, lead by master blender Alexandre Gabriel, recently revealed the results of a clandestine project.

The unveiling occurred during a tasting event at the annual Tales of the Cocktail convention in New Orleans.

Plantation Old Fashioned Traditional Dark (O.F.T.D.) aged rum is a high proof expression developed in collaboration with leading rum experts.

This surreptitious collaboration with noted rum cocktail luminaries lead to the development of Plantation’s newest expression: O.F.T.D. (Old Fashioned Traditional Dark) aged rum. The new offering blends exquisite aged marques from Guyana, Jamaica and Barbados.

This dark colored overproof rum, bottled at 69% alcohol by volume (138 proof), will be available in a one liter bottles for a suggested retail price of $31.99. It’s expected to reach retail shelves in the U.S. in September 2016.

The Tradition

This is not the first time Plantation revealed a secret rum project at the annual Tales of the Cocktail convention in New Orleans. In 2014, a limited edition Pineapple rum was circulated among an elite cadre of rum professionals. The reaction was quick and intensely successful. The rum later went into full production to acclaimed success.

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Already gaining attention and drawing rave reviews across the pond, the latest expression of aged rum from the iconic Pusser’s brand draws on true legends and practices of the British Royal Navy.

Pusser’s Gunpowder Proof Original Admiralty Strength Navy Rum will launch in seven U.S. markets on July 31. The date commemorates the 46th anniversary of Black Tot Day.

Pusser’s Gunpowder Proof Admiralty Strength Navy Rum — Best in Class at the 2016 RumXP tasting competition — will launch in the USA on the occasion of Black Tot Day.

Bottled at 54.5%, this bold expression hearkens back to a time before modern hydrometers were used to test spirits. According to custom, a small amount of gunpowder was floated on top of a rum sample to prove the strength of the rum. If the gunpowder flashed when lit with flame, it was “proof” that the spirit was full strength — worthy of naval commission.

Awards

This unique Pusser’s expression took the Best in Class Gold Award in the Overproof category from the 2016 RumXP tasting competition awards at Miami Rum Festival.

Tasting Notes

Aromas of charred wood, smoke and charcoal play well with cherry almond, soft rubber funk, ripe banana, buttery treacle, white pepper and an aromatic sensation. The palate is wild and wicked, starting with molasses before an explosion of big flavors dominated by notes of sulfur and charcoal. Mid-palate brings smoke and ash, funky dark fruit and leather before a long warm finish recalls smokey peat in the robust mouthfeel.

American Launch

With the seal of approval from Navy Rum fanatics in the United Kingdom, the rum now finds it way to the erstwhile North American British colonies to be distributed to waiting rum enthusiasts across the United States.

The timing of the release commemorates Black Tot Day on July 31, 1970. It was a solemn occasion when the last daily ration of rum was served aboard British Royal Navy ships.

“Gunpowder Proof is riding the wave of hand-crafted artisan spirits that are authentic and all-natural,” said Pusser’s CEO Gary Rogalski. “Forbes Magazine called the blend ‘the single malt of rum’ because of the painstaking batch process required to blend, bottle and bring the rum to market. We are all proud of our association in serving Liquid History to a strong and growing core of rum aficionados.”

Rogalski said Pusser’s will initially introduce the rum to its Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, California, mid-Atlantic and Northeast markets, with others to follow as the spirit gains traction.

Pusser’s Rum Limited is a British Virgin Island Company with administrative offices in Charleston, South Carolina. Its products are imported into the United States by Shaw-Ross International Importers.

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A signature bottle design is the distinguishing visual factor that first sets Deadhead Rum apart from the competition. Now, the spirit in the bottle is getting well-deserved attention since the Deadhead Rum brand transitioned to a new Mexican distillery for production of its 6 year old aged rum expression.

Iconic Brands’ Deadhead rum is a 6 year old aged rum produced at Bonampak distillery in the southwest region of Mexico.

According to Kim Brandi, founder and CEO of Iconic Brands, sales of Deadhead Rum have nearly doubled in the past three years to almost 20,000 cases.

The 65 year old Destilados Bonampak distillery is headed by a veteran rum producing Cuban family. The tropical climate, coastal breezes and ocean salinity help distinguish the DNA of this spirit. The process starts with sugarcane grown in Tapachula, Chiapas near the Guatemalan border and the Pacific Ocean. The distiller’s master blender earned his reputation with a large Cuban rum brand. The spirit rests in French Oak barrels for six years.

Tasting Notes

Aromas of vanilla, spice and big wood dominate the cane grass notes. On the palate, a dry bitter wood balances burnt sugar, vanilla wafer, pumpkin pie spice and a hint of citrus peel before notes of dried fruit appear during the long finish.

The Bottle

The iconic bottle is a depiction of a tsantsa, the shrunken head of an enemy. Traditionally used for trophy, ritual and trade purposes by tribes in the northwestern regions of the Amazon rain forest, the item is believed to harness the spirit of that enemy, compelling him to serve the shrinker and preventing the soul from avenging its death.

The Brand

Iconic Brands seeks to distinguish their offerings with a “No Compromise” philosophy. The unique characteristics of this Mexican rum — and certainly the shrunken head vessel — are true to this goal.

Deadhead 6 Year Old aged rum is bottled at 40% abv. The 750ml bottle sells for $38.99.

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Panama-Pacific 9 year old rum has arrived. Memorializing the century-long history of the Panama Canal and the Panama Pacific Exposition of San Francisco in 1915, Haas Brothers celebrates their long legacy in the spirits business in California since 1851 with this outstanding expression of fine Panamanian rum.

Panama-Pacific 9 year old aged rum from Panama celebrates the Pacific Exposition of San Francisco in 1915, the Panama Canal and the long history of Hass Brothers in California.

The distillate was made in a historic Coffey copper column still at a slightly lower proof than average to develop rich character.

The new rum rests in Kentucky bourbon casks for the first three years, before moving to exhausted Tennessee whiskey barrels for a gentle maturation.

On the nose we find slightly bitter oak and vanilla bean well balanced by creamy notes of toasted muscovado sugar, creme brûlée and cacao before juicy fruit, along with hints of coconut, banana and cherry/almond. The palate offers a delicate buttery entry with dark caramel building to a bright warmth at mid-palate, followed by more wood before a hint of cherry/almond and cocoa nibs fades to reveal delightful butterscotch dessert notes over old wood in the long finish.

The youngest rum in this blend is 9 years old. Bottled at 47.3% (94.6 proof) the 750ml bottle of Panama-Pacific 9 year old rum sells for $29.99.